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Saturday, June 21, 2014

I know the Vithhal…

There
was once a famous singer who was known everywhere for his excellent &
passionate singing. He used to sing light music and mainly devotional songs. He
would always end his performance with a dramatic song of widely worshipped God in Maharashtra, Vithhal.

Each night, without exception, as the singer
began his signing - "माझे
माहेर पंढरी, आहे
भिवरेच्या तीरी बाप
आणि आई, माझी
विठठल रखुमाई माझे
माहेर पंढरी ..."..the crowd would listen attentively.
And then, at the conclusion of this devotional song, they would rise in
thunderous applause in appreciation of the singer's incredible ability to bring
the verse to life.

But one night, just before the singer was to offer his song,
a young man who was came from nearby village from the audience spoke up. "Guruji, do you mind if tonight I sing
this song?" The singer was quite taken back by this unusual request, but he
allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage
to sing the song, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no
match for his own talent. With a soft voice, the young man began to sing the song.

When he was finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as
on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience
had been so moved by the young man's passionate singing that every eye was full of
tears.

Amazed by what he had heard, the singer said to the youth, "I don't
understand. I have been singing this song for years. I have a lifetime of
experience and training - but I have never been able to move an audience as you
have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?"

The young man quietly
replied, "Guruji, you know the singing... I know the Vithaal."